Canada
Hoisting a sail into the win

Welcome Inn, a ministry founded by Harvest Christian Fellowship, the Abbotsford, British Columbia, congregation.

SURREY, British Columbia, Canada—Over the past several years, the board of WCG Canada has been involved in a process of transformation. 

The board decided to use a policy governance model to enable it to assure the church of proper accountability. This includes ensuring that the organization effectively pursues the purposes for which it exists, and that we use means that are appropriate to accomplish our purpose. The board works closely with the management of the church to achieve these goals.

The vision of WCG Canada is to be a national fellowship of spiritually healthy congregations, upwardly oriented to God in worship, inwardly seeking to accomplish effective discipleship of all members, and outwardly sharing the gospel with and demonstrating the love of God toward all with whom we have contact.

This year, the board took part in a retreat weekend in Winnipeg, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.

Randal Dick, superintendent of missions, was facilitator. The goal was to further refine our understanding of how to align the church with Christ’s purpose.

We spent time describing the state of Canada today with an eye to identifying in which areas the church members—representing Jesus Christ and the gospel message—are best positioned to make a difference.

It was clear to all that our effectiveness wouldn’t be found in trying to develop our own agenda, but rather in seeking areas in which Christ was already opening doors and starting to work.

Then, it would be a matter of encouraging our congregations to walk through those doors. 

The board adopted an analogy from sailing. The leaders of the church realize that we do not make the wind, or the spiritual energy to make things happen.

If spiritual work is done, it is Jesus who plans, initiates and empowers. We want to be like skilled sailors who discern the winds and hoist the sail to catch the gathering wind, and move forward in that direction.

This is a work in progress, and your prayers are solicited that WCG Canada may be the most effective instrument it can be, in the hands of Jesus Christ, the head of the body.

Meeting
the challenges

Canada is a wealthy, postmodern nation. It prides itself on tolerance, as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and increasingly multi-racial society. Many Canadians are cynical about Christianity and the Christian church. 

Yet, the nation faces looming social problems, issues of inequality, stress, an aging population, and a sense of moral drift. So, the needs are clearly there, though there may be some antipathy toward the solution.

That solution remains available through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Representing Jesus, and conveying his message is, at its core, what WCG Canada is all about.

Reaching out to serve the poor is one of the ways a number of our congregations, and many members, contribute to advancing the great commission. The Bible is certainly full of admonitions to extend love and support to the needy. It is often when people are in crisis and recognize their own need, that they are most open to the gospel (Isaiah 61:1-2a).

One major effort is the Welcome Inn in Aldergrove, British Columbia, where Harvest Christian Fellowship (WCG Abbotsford) serves a meal every Monday night to needy people in the community.

This service is provided in a Christian context, and several have come to Christ, or recommitted to him because of this outreach ministry.

Another effective ministry is the Hands of Hope, founded by members of our Winnipeg congregation. Last year, Hands of Hope provided furniture and other household items to 800 families.

These ministries have so affected the people they serve that baptisms have taken place, and people have begun attending our services.

Canada is a country that welcomes a quarter of a million immigrants each year. Several of our congregations have become home to new immigrants, some of whom were part of a WCG congregation in their home countries. The Ottawa congregation has several new members who have come to Canada from Africa. 

We would love to work more in these and other areas where we see the Holy Spirit already working.  Please pray for your brothers and sisters in the WCG Canada, that in these and other ways, we can participate in the spiritual harvest in the most effective way possible (Matthew 9:36-38).

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2006